Stars Pay Tribute To Soul Legend Etta James

(NewsCore) - Stevie Wonder and Christina Aguilera were among the mourners who gathered in California Saturday at the private funeral for legendary soul singer Etta James.

Wonder and Aguilera both sang at the funeral, which was presided over by Rev. Al Sharpton, The Press-Enterprise reported.

James died last Friday in Riverside, Calif., at age 73. She suffered from leukemia, hepatitis C and dementia and had been seriously ill for the past year.

Sharpton declared her to be "the original diva" in his eulogy at the Greater Bethany Community Church City of Refuge in Gardena, Los Angeles County.

"Etta James' life was a life of pain and glory," he said. "The genius of Etta was that she flipped the script ... she waited until she turned her pain into power."

Sharpton also read a message from President Barack Obama, who said, "Etta will be remembered for her legendary voice."

Aguilera said James was the singer "who cut right to my soul" before launching into "At Last," her best-known song.

Wonder performed his song "Shelter in the Rain" and the musical version of "The Lord's Prayer," The Press-Enterprise reported.

Hundreds of fans had already attended a public viewing for James on Friday at Inglewood Cemetery Mortuary.

She would have turned 74 on Wednesday and was survived by her husband Artis Mills and sons Donto and Sametto James.

Her family asked that donations in the blues, R&B and jazz singer's memory be sent to the Rhythm and Blues Foundation.

Read more: Inlandsocal.com